The Legend of Wooley Swamp

Charlie Daniels

About The Legend of Wooley Swamp

"The Legend Of Wooley Swamp" is a song written, composed, and recorded by the Charlie Daniels Band. It was released in August 1980 as the second single from the album Full Moon, which was later certified platinum.


Year:
2006
4:17
49 

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

If you ever go back into Wooly Swamp son you better not go at night
There's things out there in the middle of them woods
That'd make a strong man die from fright
There's things that crawl and things that fly
And things that creep around on the ground
And they say the ghost of Lucias Clay gets up and it walks around.

But I couldn't believe it, I just had to find out for myself
And I couldn't conceive it, I never would listen to nobody else
No I couldn't believe it, I just had to find out for myself
That there's some things in this world you just can't explain.

The old man lived in the Wooly Swamp way back in the gurgling woods
And he never did do a lot of harm in the world
But he never did do no good
People didn't think too much of him
They all thought he acted funny
The old man didn't care about people anyway
All he cared about was his money.
He'd stuff it all down in Mason jars and bury it all around
But on certain nights if the moon was right
He'd dig it up out of the ground.
He'd pour it all out on the floor of his shack
And run his fingers through it.
Old Lucias Clay was a greedy old man
And that's all there ever was to it.

But I couldn't believe it, I just had to find out for myself
And I couldn't conceive it, I never would listen to nobody else
No I couldn't believe it, I just had to find out for myself
That there's some things in this world you just can't explain.

The Crayton boys were white trash they lived over on Parvis Creek
They were a real snake and sneaky as a cat
And belligerent when they'd speak.
One night the oldest brother said ya'll meet in the Wooly Swamp later
We'll get old Lucias' money and we'll feed him to the alligators.
They found the old man out in the back with a shovel in his hand
And thirteen rusty Mason jars he just dug up out of the sand.
And they all went crazy and they beat the old man
Then they picked him up off the ground
Then they threw him in the swamp and they stood there and laughed
Till the black water sucked him down.
Then they turned around and went back to the shack
And they picked up the money and ran.
But they hadn't gone nowheres when they realized
They were running in quicksand.
And they struggled and screamed but they couldn't get away
Then just before they went under
They could hear that old man laughing
In a voice that was loud as thunder.

Now that's been fifty years ago an' if you go back by there again
There's a spot in the yard in back of that shack
Where the ground is always wet.
And on certain nights if the moon is right
And you're down by the dark footpath
You can hear three yound men screaming
And you can hear that old man laugh.

Repeat (V-1)

CHORUS...

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Charlie Daniels

Charles Edward "Charlie" Daniels (born on October 28, 1936) is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is perhaps best known for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has written and performed. Daniels has been active as a singer since the early 1950s. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on January 24, 2008. more »

1 fan

Written by: CHARLES FRED HAYWARD, CHARLIE DANIELS, FRED EDWARDS, JAMES W. MARSHALL, JOHN CRAIN, WILLIAM J. DIGREGORIO

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Recording and Release
"The Legend of Wooley Swamp" was recorded by Charlie Daniels and his band in 1980. - The song is a single from the band's album "Full Moon".
Chart Performance
It reached number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1980.
Genre Classification
The song falls under the genre of southern rock and country.
Song Concept
"The Legend of Wooley Swamp" is a story song.
Song Content
The lyrics tell the tale of a miser named Lucius Clay who was supposedly killed by three local boys for his stored wealth.
Legacy
Even after decades, the song continues to be a staple at Charlie Daniels Band concerts.
Inspiration
The song was perhaps inspired by Daniels' fascination with Southern folklore.
Cover Version
An instrumental version of this song was done by the Finnish bluegrass band Steve’n’Seagulls in their album Brothers In Farms.
Trivia
Charlie Daniels once stated in an interview that the Wooley Swamp doesn't really exist; it is a fictional place conjured up for the song.
Unique Feature
The song is noted for its haunting tone and eerie storyline, an aspect not usually found in Daniels' more upbeat repertoire.
Cultural Impact
The song's story and setting have sparked several fan theories and discussions about the fate of the characters in the song.

Discuss the The Legend of Wooley Swamp Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Legend of Wooley Swamp Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/9106838/Charlie+Daniels/The+Legend+of+Wooley+Swamp>.

    Missing lyrics by Charlie Daniels?

    Know any other songs by Charlie Daniels? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    The Legend of Wooley Swamp

    2.1M
    14,557     605

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1980

    Billboard #31


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Some nights I stay up, cashing in my bad luck, Some nights, I call it a ______."
    A win
    B flaw
    C loss
    D draw

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Charlie Daniels tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!